Measuring brake temperature

[Robin427]

Do any cars, Ultimas for example, come with brake temperature gauges as an option? Won't do anything before this weekend's track day but if I start getting fade, I'd like a system of monitoring the temperature so I can see if installing cooling ducts might help. Do those infrared thermometers you can point at bits in the engine work well enough?

[clive a brown]

My Dear Rev, Depending on your set up there certainly may be problems with cooking your brakes on a track day.

I dont know about Ultimas having a brake temp gauge

but if you have inboard rear discs you certainly will overheat and possible damage certain critical compontents - pads - discs - seals - diff ??

I belive that a good starting point for increasing air flow and hence lowering temps is:-
A scoop under the car to direct air to the area
A scoop directing air onto the rear calipers through the cockpit rear bulkhead
front brake cooling from the appertures in the bodywork

Plus:-
DOT 5.1 fluid
green stuff pads
turbogroove discs

With all these in place my brakes are now fadeless on a trackday.

Clive

[wilf]

I know that you can get a special paint that changes colour at some high temp, and put a stripe of it on your discs (outside edge, I guess). Where from, I have no idea - possibly worth asking the likes of EBC.

I thought GDs were bred for the track, and so brake fade could not be a problem?

[Robin427]

That's what I'd hoped. I've got the Euro chassis so outboard discs (from a Scorpio?) which are plenty big enough to stop the car. However, GD offer a brake upgrade package with BFO brakes which are apparently more resistant to fade. I think if I was racing I might have problems but on the track day, fingers crossed it will be OK. Judging by the weather forecast they're going to be water cooled anyway

[RichardG]

Obvious I know but...

Do a cooling down session with minimal if any braking involved and when you park up, don't put the handbrake on just leave it in gear.